Firpo replaced by £21k-p/w whiz, “creative spark” signed: Dream Leeds XI after January

Before the second half of the season, Leeds United has about two weeks still to bolster their roster during the January transfer window.

 

The Whites are now competing to finish in the top two and get promoted back to the Premier League automatically at the first attempt.

Current Championship top six (via Sofascore)
Team	Position	Matches played	Points
Leicester	1	27	65
Ipswich	2	27	58
Southampton	3	27	55
Leeds	4	27	51
West Brom	5	27	45
Coventry	6	27	40

But as the table below illustrates, Daniel Farke’s team has a mountain to climb and will need to put in a tremendous amount of work to finish ahead of their competitors in order to avoid the play-offs.

1. Illan Meslier

Illan Meslier, the team’s first choice in goal, may continue to be there since there hasn’t been any substantial transfer rumours about him leaving or about a replacement goalie entering the game.

This season, the French goalkeeper has started 25 Championship games for the Whites and has nine clean sheets overall.

2. Neco Williams

At right-back, a new signing might be the first. Journalist Phil Hay stated on The Square Ball Podcast that Leeds is considering Neco Williams, but it might be challenging to persuade Nottingham Forest to let him go.

During his final season in the Championship, playing for Fulham in the 2021–2022 season, the Wales national attracted attention with his exceptional attacking abilities.

Williams placed among the top 1% of the division’s full-backs in terms of progressive passes (6.42) and progressive carries (4.23) per 90 yards.

In a perfect world, Leeds would be able to sign the Welsh powerhouse, which would allow Archie Gray to challenge for a position in the middle of the park.

3. Joe Rodon

Joe Rodon’s position at the center of the defence shouldn’t be in doubt. The superstar on loan from Tottenham Hotspur has participated in 24 league games for the Whites and has won an impressive 68% of his duels, demonstrating his dominance in physical altercations.

4. Pascal Struijk

Alongside the Wales international, Pascal Struijk is another player who should remain a first-choice for Farke heading into the second half of the campaign.

5. Borna Barisic

Borna Barisic, a full-back for Rangers, is reportedly a target for Leeds, according to FootballScotland, making him the second dream acquisition of the window.

Farke may decide to sign the Croatian international instead of keeping Junior Firpo in the starting lineup since he can offer more on both ends of the field.

23/24 season	Firpo in Championship	Barisic in Premiership
Appearances	Seven	11
Key passes per game	0.9	2.2
Tackles per game	1.1	1.6
Interceptions per game	0.9	0.9
Duel success rate	48%	61%

As the above table illustrates, the £21k-per-week Light Blues genius can provide more than twice as much creativity per match and is significantly more effective in individual duels. During the 2022–2023 league season, he also generated 12 ‘big chances’ and made 2.3 vital passes per game.

In order to strengthen his team’s offensive and defensive capabilities, the head coach may decide to sideline the former Barcelona player and sign Barisic from the Scottish powerhouses.

6. Ethan Ampadu

The central midfield pairing does not need tinkering with. Ethan Ampadu, who joined from Chelsea on a permanent deal last summer, has started 27 league matches for the Whites this season and averaged 7.2 ball recoveries per game for his side.

7. Glen Kamara

Alongside the Welsh enforcer, Glen Kamara should still be a key player for Leeds. He is a midfield metronome with his phenomenal passing ability, which is illustrated by his superb pass success rate of 92.5% – placing him within the top 2% of Championship midfielders this season.

8. Dan James

Dan James, a former Swansea and Manchester United winger who has been in outstanding form with nine goals and five assists in the second division, should continue to be Farke’s go-to man on the right side of the attack.

Although he has produced 10 “big chances” for his teammates this season, he has only received five Championship assists, indicating that occasionally his teammates have failed to deliver on their promises to him.

9. David Brooks

According to journalist Josh Bunting, David Brooks, an attacking midfielder for Bournemouth, is a “creative spark” and might be the third dream signing made this month.

The Wales international, who might be moving before the end of the month, is reportedly of interest to Leeds, according to reporter Alex Crook, who spoke with GIVEMESPORT recently.

The 26-year-old wizard finished in the top 15% of Championship offensive midfielders and wingers for Expected Assisted Goals (0.21) and progressive passes (4.36) per 90 minutes in his final full season in the second division in 2020–21.

This season, Joel Piroe has been used as a number ten. He presently has an xAG of 0.06 per 90 and a progressive pass rate of 3.45 per 90, which puts him in the bottom 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the competition.

This means that, in contrast to Piroe, Farke might be able to acquire a natural number ten who can produce excellent opportunities and advance the play at a rapid pace.

10. Crysencio Summerville

Crysencio Summerville’s position in a dream XI for Leeds does not need much explaining. The Dutch whiz has chipped in with 12 goals and seven assists in 24 league appearances this season.

11. Georginio Rutter

Georginio Rutter could finally round off the ideal lineup at the top of the pitch. In 26 league games for the Whites this season, the 21-year-old wizard has provided five goals, nine assists, and eighteen “big chances,” demonstrating his enormous creative ability.